Edward J. Stenftenagel, age 84 of Jasper, Indiana, passed away at 3:50 p.m. on Sunday, January 29th, 2017 at Memorial Hospital and Healthcare Center in Jasper, IN.
Ed was born in Jasper, Indiana on April 14, 1932 to Florian and Agnus (Blessinger) Stenftenagel. He married Bettye Schneider on June 24, 1954. She preceded him in death on August 6, 1989.
Ed was a 1950 graduate of Jasper High School, where he was a member of the 1949 Jasper Basketball State Championship Team. He graduated from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in 1954 where he played on the university basketball team and was the team captain his senior year. He was a life member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
He entered the U.S. Air Force pilot training school in 1954. After graduating as a pilot he served with the Strategic Air Command until 1957 where he piloted B36 and B52 bombers. He served as a Liaison Officer with the Air Force Academy until 1982 and retired as a Lt. Colonel. He was a graduate of the Squadron Officer School in 1965, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1970, and the Air War College in 1978. He was a member of the Indiana Aerospace Association, the Air Force Association, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and the Jasper American Legion Post #147.
He was the co-owner and operator of Schneider’s Department Store in Jasper for over 30 years.
He served as a director for the Dubois County Bank, the Liberty Building Loan Association, Jasper Retail Association, the Jasper Jaycee’s, and the Jasper Country Club. He was a member of the Jasper Chamber of Commerce. He served as the President of the Columbian Noon Luncheon Club in 1961, Chairman of the Airport Study Commission in 1966, Chairman of the Dubois County Park Board in 72-73, was selected into the Who’s Who in 1972, and served on the Dubois County American Heart Association Sunday Heart Drive. He was a charter member of the Wabash Valley Association.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and the Jasper Knights of Columbus.
He enjoyed golf, making wine, and gardening.
Surviving are two sons, E.J. Stenftenagel II, California, and Blake Stenftenagel, Florida, two grandchildren, four sisters, Doretha Schmitt, Jasper, Betty Egan, Cincinnati, OH, Geraldine “Gerry” Giesler, Jasper, and Jane (Tom) Eckerle of Indianapolis, two brothers, James (Flora) Stenftenagel, and Michael “Mick” (Mary Ellen) Stenftenagel, Ft. Worth, TX., and one brother-in-law Ronald R. Schneider, Florida.
Preceding him in death besides his wife was one sister, Marge Gramelspacher.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Edward J. Stenftenagel will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper, Indiana with entombment to follow at Fairview Cemetery Mausoleum in Jasper. The American Legion Post #147 will conduct military gravesite rites.
A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. service time on Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or a favorite charity.
Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com
